Grasshopper Zurich begin their 2023-24 Swiss Super League campaign when they welcome Servette to Letzigrund on Saturday.
The Hoppers take to the field for their first competitive fixture after a pre-season of mixed results, while the visitors seek a strong start after ending runners-up last season.
Match preview
Bruno Berner takes charge of his first game at Grasshopper on Saturday, looking to start the year positively at his childhood club.
The 45-year-old replaced Giorgio Contini at the Zurich-based club at the start of June, giving the new boss time to work with his players in the off-season.
This brought mixed results, with a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of German Bundesliga side Freiburg as the low point in the lead-up to the new campaign.
A 9-0 triumph over amateur side Wettswil-Bonstetten on Tuesday gives some positivity to the Hoppers, who seek to build on that victory in front of their fans.
Grasshopper won half of their 18 games at Letzigrund last season, a statistic that needs to improve to achieve a higher standing at the end of this season — they ended 2022-23 seventh.
As for Servette, a perfect pre-season puts last year's runners-up in good stead before their season opener in Zurich.
Rene Weiler has hitherto taken to new surroundings like a duck to water, securing four consecutive victories in their tune-up games, scoring 12 times and conceding two.
The Maroons' new boss took charge this month after Alain Geiger's five-year spell in Geneva, and the dominant friendly games suggest the transition would be smooth.
You never know with pre-season games, though, and it remains to be seen if Servette are distracted by their upcoming Champions League second qualifying round meeting with Genk.
Unbeaten in seven games at the backend of last season, that run could extend to eight if Weiler's team avoids defeat on Saturday.
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Team News
Justin Hammel should start in goal for the hosts, with the club releasing last season's first-choice goalkeeper Andre Moreira.
New signing Pascal Schurpf is unlikely to feature, having sustained a knee injury in June, while Portuguese defender Tomas Ribeiro is doubtful after going off with an issue against Austria Lustenau at the backend of last month.
Versatile summer arrival, Kristers Tobers, could make his competitive debut for the club at centre-back, with fellow free transfer signing Michael Kempter, along with Theo Corbeanu, who is on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Servette were without right-back Theo Magnin for last season's concluding two months, but the defender is back and should start in defence, with Steve Rouiller also expected to play from the off.
Summer arrival Alexander Lyng netted twice in the 5-2 friendly win over Rapperswil-Jona, and the wide attacker could be in the team for his competitive debut, even though Chris Bedia should start on the right wing.
Another new acquisition, Bradley Mazikou, who joined Servette from Greek side Aris Saloniki, could start against Grasshopper.
Grasshopper Zurich possible starting lineup:
Hammel; Kempter, Tobers, Seko, Schmid; Abrashi, Ndenge, Shabani; Kalem, Momoh, Morandi
Servette possible starting lineup:
Frick; Magnin, Rouiller, Severin, Mazikou; Cognat, Douline; Bedia, Antunes, Kutesa; Crivelli
We say: Grasshopper Zurich 1-2 Servette
Servette seems to have a bit more about them, and a seven-game unbeaten run stretching to last season should become eight without losing against Grasshopper.
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